“Ask Restaurants Anything” at Serai Melbourne

The Concept: “Ask Restaurants Anything”

The OpenTable marketing team developed the creative direction and were on-site to guide the shoot. The idea was simple and engaging: ask restaurant staff anything about dates.

From chefs to front-of-house, the Serai team answered playful, relatable questions such as:

• What makes a great date spot?
• What’s a red flag on a first date?
• What should someone look for in a restaurant for Valentine’s Day?
• What’s the most impressive dish to order?

The goal was social-first content — something authentic, fast-paced and genuinely entertaining, while subtly positioning Serai as the perfect Valentine’s destination.

Production Approach: Lean, Efficient & Social-Ready

This was a streamlined setup:

One videographer on location in Melbourne, supported by the OpenTable team directing the creative.

Our Role on Set:

• Multicam and audio setup
• Lighting adapted to the restaurant’s ambience
• Interview capture (chefs and FOH staff)
• Production support and technical oversight

The Interview Style

The format was intentionally casual and energetic.

Instead of long-form sit-down interviews, we captured:

• Short, punchy answers
• Natural reactions
• Overlapping commentary
• Playful back-and-forth moments

We encouraged personality to come through. The more natural the responses, the stronger the engagement.

For social media, authenticity beats polish every time.

Post-Production: Fast, Interlaced & On-Brand

The edit was designed specifically for social platforms.

Editing Style:

• Fast-paced cuts
• Interlaced audio bites
• Dynamic pacing to maintain viewer retention
• OpenTable-branded question cards on screen
• Clean lower thirds and graphic overlays

Rather than letting one person speak for too long, we layered responses:

• A chef’s answer flowing into a FOH perspective
• Quick reaction shots
• Creative subtle additions such as sound effects and comedic mood changes

This technique keeps energy high and prevents drop-off — crucial for Instagram and TikTok-style content.

Brand consistency was also key. OpenTable’s visual identity was integrated seamlessly into:

• On-screen questions
• Typography
• Colour styling
• End frames

The result? A cohesive, campaign-ready social asset that feels organic while still being strategically branded.

Corporate Video Production That Travels

Although Matt Callian Videography is based in Sydney, we regularly work interstate when the right project calls for it.

What matters most is:

• Understanding the brand’s objective
• Collaborating with marketing teams
• Delivering polished content that performs

In this case, the collaboration with OpenTable’s marketing team ensured that creative direction stayed sharp while we focused on capturing strong visuals and audio in a fast-moving hospitality environment.

Why This Format Works for Restaurants

Campaigns like “Ask Restaurants Anything” are powerful because they:

• Humanise the brand
• Showcase personality
• Provide bite-sized, shareable content
• Build seasonal relevance (Valentine’s Day)
• Create social buzz without feeling like an ad

For hospitality venues, this style bridges the gap between marketing and authenticity.

Instead of saying “We’re great for dates”, the staff show you why.